There are so many great picture books to read with kids for Black History Month, but this year try this true story:

Viola Desmond was arrested in 1946 in Halifax for sitting on the main floor rather than the balcony in a theatre. Because she was a non-white patron, theatre employees insisted Desmond sit in the balcony. She refused and was taken away by the police. Viola Desmond’s face will now be printed on Canada’s ten dollar bill. An essential library book.

The Two Sisters, a tale from the Squamish Nation, that explains the existence of two iconic peaks on the north shore of Vancouver. If you live in the lower mainland, you probably know these peaks as The Lions. This beautifully illustrated book is loved by teachers and students. Never in the library and always in use, I hope to purchase another two copies. As one grade 4 student told me, “I can see them from my front window!”

An essential library book. Great for launching writing and art projects.

One of the early primary teachers requested a pile of wordless books. I pulled favourites and also went hunting for ones I’d never heard of. Here are two beautifully illustrated wordless books that I discovered in my search:

I just love books by wonderful, award winning Laura Vaccaro Seeger. I Used to be Afraid is a gorgeous, simple tale of transformation. I read it aloud to a group of Kindergarten students and they loved it. The book invoked many connections for the kids, and they were dying to share their stories.

Laura Vaccaro Seeger who also wrote Green, available in French as Vert, and Les Citrons Ne Sont Pas Rouges, both of which work very well in French and English.

My favourite LVS book just might be Bully, the story of a young bull who takes out his anger on others only to regret the consequences. Will there be redemption and transformation for him? Another favourite read aloud.

Another wonderful book by local author, Deborah Hodge, West Coast Wild is a gorgeous ABC book with lots of information about local wildlife and habitats. Read aloud and make connections, be inspired to research local animals and write a class ABC book, and learn more about the area we live in. An essential library book for all westcoast schools. Karen Reczuck‘s stunning, realistic watercolours are evocative and compelling.